Roundtable: Artest vs. Ariza, more

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Lakers forward Ron Artest is off to a sluggish start on offense with his new team. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Four SI.com writers analyze the latest news and address hot topics from around the NBA each week. (All stats and records are through Monday.)

1. Ron Artest has struggled in his first few games with the Lakers while Trevor Ariza has thrived in Houston. Is Artest experiencing some adjustment pains, or are the Lakers destined to regret choosing Artest over Ariza?

Ian Thomsen: In early July, the Lakers felt they would have a hard time driving the price of Ariza's contract down to the mid-level exception (which he ultimately accepted from Houston). Artest's mid-level contract with L.A. was actually smaller than the salary Ariza was seeking. Based on the speed of their decision to forego Ariza, the Lakers viewed it as a no-brainer to quickly sign Artest while leaving enough money in reserve to also retain Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown. Ariza is a versatile complementary forward, and Rockets coach Rick Adelman is bringing out the best in him. But no one should think Ariza would be scoring 33 points for the Lakers, as he did for Houston against the Blazers the other day. Artest will prove to be an upgrade over Ariza, and there hasn't been any meaningful evidence yet to change my opinion. Is Artest going to be high maintenance? Of course. But we won't know until later in the season whether the daily issues he creates are wearing out his teammates and Phil Jackson.

Jack McCallum: Is there any player in the league more prone to emotional volatility, more likely to have high highs and low lows, than Artest? (OK, maybe Stephen Jackson, the subject of the next question.) Artest was so gung-ho about making a name in a new city with a new team that his nervousness and inconsistency could've been predicted. I love Ariza -- he was my nominated breakout player in last year's postseason -- but Artest will figure it out soon ... or Kobe Bryant or Phil Jackson will figure it out for him.

Chris Mannix: The triangle is the most complicated offense in the league, so it was predictable that someone like Artest -- a motion-based or low-post player for most of his career -- would struggle picking it up right away. Likewise, Ariza's numbers were supposed to spike playing on a Houston team without a lot of offensive options. Still, my original prediction stands: The Lakers will rue going for the proverbial jugular by adding a combustible star like Artest and letting a smooth fit like Ariza walk away.

Arash Markazi: You can't just go off statistics when comparing the two, because Ariza is getting a chance to put up big numbers as a go-to guy while Artest is the Lakers' third or fourth option. That said, Ariza has played better early, but Artest is starting to find his role. He isn't being asked to put up 15-20 shots, but instead be a shutdown defender and score when he's open. Against the Hawks on Sunday, Artest had his best night as a Laker -- but not because he had 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. It was because of his defense. Joe Johnson scored 18 points on Kobe in the first quarter before Artest switched on to him. Johnson scored only nine points the rest of the game as the Lakers won.

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2. Stephen Jackson wants out of Golden State. If you were a general manager, would you take a chance on him? What team would be the best fit for his talents and mercurial personality?

Thomsen: I doubt he'll be traded because he has four years at almost $36 million on the books (including this season). He could help contenders like the Cavaliers, Nuggets or Hornets, but they would have to give up a little talent in the exchange -- and even then the weight of Jackson's contract might be too much for them to bear. The Bobcats, Knicks and Timberwolves all have needs on the wing, but Charlotte isn't likely to spend the money, New York is saving for 2010 and Minnesota may prefer to wait and see if its cap space can be applied for a more established star.

McCallum: I've always had a soft spot for Jackson, who, like Artest, is a good guy at heart. So, yes, I would take a chance on him. The normal answer here is that he has to go to a team with a clearly defined "culture," a place where he can be kept in line, like San Antonio. But he's already been there, so that's out. He needs a strong coaching figure on at least a decent team. Here are three suggestions: Washington, New Orleans and Utah.

Mannix: It depends on what your situation is. If you are a team on the brink of a championship -- say, Cleveland -- you might be willing to take a chance on a hard-nosed swingman with a history of making big shots in the playoffs. But if you're a middling team -- say, Chicago -- there is no reason to add Jackson's questionable attitude and big contract. Still, the most logical destination remains Cleveland. The Cavs have not been shy about taking on massive egos (see O'Neal, Shaquille) if they think it will help them win a title. And Jackson is still a dangerous shooter who would get plenty of open looks in that offense.

Markazi: I would have no problem taking a chance on Jackson. At this point in his career, Jackson doesn't want to be on a rebuilding team. Despite his trade demands, I don't see him as a cancer. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003 and helped the Warriors pull off the biggest upset in playoff history in 2007. Last season, he was one of four players (along with LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade) to average at least 20 points, six assists and five rebounds. This isn't some head case at the end of his career; Jackson is one of the best players in the league when he's motivated and in the right situation. I would think Cleveland would be the best fit for him.